Methods and systems for slot joining using slot cases

ABSTRACT

Provided are methods of attaching parts using slot cases and assemblies comprising these slot cases. A slot case is inserted into a slot or slid on a tab of a first part prior to attaching it to a second part. The first part may have pores that are partially open at the surface of the slot or tab. These pores may receive adhesive while attaching the two parts. The adhesive volume going into these partially open pores may vary among different first parts. To ensure that enough adhesive is supplied between the slot case and first part, the adhesive is introduced in between these components before attaching the second part and while the slot case and first part are more accessible. The adhesive may be supplied through the bottom of the slot case and continue until the adhesive appears at the top edges of the slot case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/000,811, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SLOT JOINING USING SLOTCASES,” filed on 19 Jan. 2016, (Attorney Docket No.15-2240-US-NP_BNGCP077US), which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

When attaching two components with adhesive, the adhesive often needs tofill all void spaces between two components. This requirement may bedriven by structural considerations, sealing considerations, and/orother considerations. In some cases, the exact amount of adhesive neededto fill all void spaces is not known because of some variations in oneor both components. For example, when a slot is formed in a honeycombcomposite cell structure, the slot volume may be unknown becausedifferent pores of the honeycomb structure may be open to the slotdepending on the orientation of the slot and, in some cases, variationsin the pores of the honeycomb structure. The conventional approach is tooverfill the space, such as filling an excess amount of adhesive andfollowed by removal of the excess when the parts are joined. However, insome cases such as tight places, decorative surfaces, and other,removing this excess is difficult if possible at all. Determining theright amount of adhesive for bonding porous and other such structureswithout generating adhesive spills is desirable.

SUMMARY

Provided are methods of attaching parts using slot cases and assembliescomprising these slot cases. A slot case is inserted into a slot or slidon a tab of a first part prior to attaching it to a second part. Assuch, the slot case is disposed between the first part and the secondpart. The first part may have pores that are at least partially open andextend to the surface of the slot or tab. These pores may be filled withan adhesive used for attaching the two parts. The adhesive volume goinginto these partially open pores may vary among different first parts. Toensure that enough adhesive is supplied between the slot case and firstpart, the adhesive is introduced in between these components beforeattaching the second part and while the slot case and first part aremore accessible. The adhesive may be supplied through the bottom of theslot case and continue until the adhesive appears at the top edges ofthe slot case. A second part may be inserted into the slot case or slitover the slot case, and the second adhesive may be used for attachingthe second part to the slot case. The second adhesive may be the same ordifferent than the first adhesive.

While the following description generally focuses on the first parthaving a slot and a second part having a tab, one having ordinary skillin the art would understand that the described methods and systems maybe applied to other assemblies. For example, an assembly may include afirst part having a porous tab and a second case having a slot. A lotcase may be slid over this porous tab and a first adhesive may besupplied between the tab and the slot case. The process may continuewith an insertion of the slot case into the slot of the second part suchthat a second adhesive is used for attaching the second part to the slotcase. Other configurations, e.g., where both tab and slot are porous,are also within the scope and will be understood by one having ordinaryskill in the art.

In some embodiments, a method of attaching a first part and a secondpart comprises inserting a slot case into a slot of the first part. Themethod may also involve supplying a first adhesive into a space betweenthe slot case and the first part thereby filling the space. All of thefirst adhesive may be supplied after the slot case is inserted into theslot. Alternatively, at least some of the first adhesive may be suppliedprior to inserting the slot case into the slot of the first part. Themethod also comprises supplying a second adhesive into the slot case andinserting a tab of the second part into the slot case. The secondadhesive may be supplied into the slot case after supplying the firstadhesive into the space between the slot case and the first part. Thesecond part may be inserted after supplying the second adhesive into theslot case.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises forming the firstpart. Forming the first part may comprise forming the slot in the firstpart. For example, the slot may be machined or otherwise formed in thefirst part. In some embodiments, forming the first part comprisesforming pores on the first part. At least a first portion of the poresmay be a part of the space later filled with the first adhesive. Forexample, the first portion of the pores may be open to the surface ofthe slot.

In some embodiments, a second portion of the pores of the first part isisolated from the space between the slot case and the first part andremain unfilled with the first adhesive. The second portion of the poresmay be closed pores and/or may be also positioned further away from thesurface of the slot. The volume ratio of the first portion of the poresto the second portion may vary among different first parts (e.g., mayhave some part-to-part variations). This variation may depend on theposition of the slot relative to the pores, size and distribution of thepores and other factors, which will be understood by one having ordinaryskill in the art. In some embodiments, the first part has a materialstructure selected from the group consisting of a honeycomb and a foam.

In some embodiments, supplying the first adhesive into the spacecomprises forcing the first adhesive through the space between the slotcase and the first part and to the top edge of the slot case. The topedge of the slot case may coincide with the surface of the first part,in some example. Supplying the first adhesive into the space maycomprise supplying the first adhesive through a fill port in the bottomof the slot case or, more specifically, through the fill port in thecenter in the bottom of the slot case. This bottom type of adhesivefilling ensures that the entire space between the slot case and thefirst part, including the first portion of the pores, is filled with thefirst adhesive.

In some embodiments, inserting the slot case into the slot of the firstpart comprises contacting the slot bottom surface of the slot with thebottom pads of the slot case. The bottom pads protrude from the outerbottom surface of the slot case and provide the bottom space between theouter bottom surface and the slot bottom surface. The method maycomprise forming the slot case including sizing the height of the bottompads.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises curing the firstadhesive prior to supplying the second adhesive into the slot case. Forexample, curing the first adhesive may comprise transmitting UVradiation through the slot case. The slot case may be transparent to theUV radiation. Alternatively, the first adhesive and the second adhesivemay be cured at the same time, e.g., heat cured, at the later operation.In this case, the first adhesive may remain uncured while supplying thesecond adhesive into the slot case and while inserting the tab of thesecond part into the slot case.

In some embodiments, inserting the slot case into the slot of the firstpart comprises extending one or more side protrusion towards to a sidesurface of the slot. The one or more side protrusion may preventslipping of the slot case out of the slot and may provide moremechanical support between the slot case and the first adhesive.

In some embodiments, supplying the second adhesive comprises supplyingthe second adhesive to an inner bottom surface of the slot case, such asover a fill port of the slot case. The second adhesive may be differentfrom the first adhesive. In some embodiments, inserting the tab of thesecond part into the slot case comprises distributing the secondadhesive within in the space between the tab of the second part and theslot case. For example, the second adhesive may flow from the innerbottom surface of the slot case to the top edge of the slot case therebyfilling the entire space between the tab of the second part and the slotcase. In some embodiments, the volume of the second adhesive suppliedinto the slot case is equal to the volume of the space between the tabof the second part and the slot case. Unlike the volume of the firstadhesive, the volume of the second adhesive is known precisely.

In some embodiments, the first part comprises decorative laminate priorto inserting the slot case into the first part. The decorative laminatemay be easily cleaned when supplying the first adhesive since there issufficient access to the decorative laminate at this stage ofprocessing. At the same time, the decorative laminate may not getcontaminated by the second adhesive since the volume of the secondadhesive is known and this exact volume of the second adhesive may besupplied into the second case.

In some embodiments, a set of operations comprising inserting the slotcase, supplying the first adhesive, supplying the second adhesive, andinserting the tab is repeated at least once. The volume of the firstadhesive varies between sets of operations. At the same time, the volumeof the second adhesive remains constant in all sets of operations.

Also provided is an assembly comprising a first part, a slot case, and afirst adhesive. The first part comprises a slot. The slot case isinserted into the slot of the first part. The first adhesive is disposedin the space between the first part and the slot case and adheres thefirst part to the slot case.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a second partcomprising a tab inserted into the slot case. The assembly may alsocomprise a second adhesive disposed in the space between the second partand the slot case. The first adhesive may be different than the secondadhesive.

In some embodiments, the first part comprises pores. At least a firstportion of the pores is filed with the first adhesive. A second portion,which is different from the first portion, may be free from with thefirst adhesive. Specifically, the second portion may be closed poresand/or disposed further away from the surface of the slot than the firstportion. The first part may have a material structure selected from thegroup consisting of a honeycomb, a foam, and TBD. In some embodiments,substantially all of the space between the slot case and the first partis filled with the first adhesive. The filled space includes the firstportion of the pores.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the slot case comprises a fill port.The fill port may be disposed in the center of the bottom of the slotcase. The slot case may comprise the bottom pads contacting a slotbottom surface of the slot. The slot case may comprise a UV transparentmaterial. The slot case may comprise one or more protrusion extendingtowards to a side surface of the slot.

These and other embodiments are described further below with referenceto the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a process flowchart corresponding to a method of attaching afirst part to a second part using a slot case, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first part comprising a slot, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are section cut views of two examples of the first partshown in FIG. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a slot case, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 3B is a section cut view of the slot case shown in FIG. 3A, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3C is a perspective bottom view of a slot case showing an alignmentfeature, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the slot case shown in FIGS. 3A-3Bpartially inserted into the slot of the first part shown in FIGS. 2A-2C,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a section cut view of the slot case shown in FIGS. 3A-3Bpartially inserted into the slot of the first part shown in FIGS. 2A-2C,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the slot case shown in FIGS. 3A-3Bfully inserted into the slot of the first part shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4D is a section cut view of the slot case shown in FIGS. 3A-3Bfully inserted into the slot of the first part shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a section cut view of the slot case inserted into the slot ofthe first part with a space between the slot case and the first partbeing partially filled with a first adhesive, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5B is a section cut view of the slot case inserted into the slot ofthe first part with a space between the slot case and the first partbeing fully filled with the first adhesive, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the slot case inserted into the slot ofthe first part with a space between the slot case and the first partbeing fully filled with the first adhesive, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5D is a section cut view of curing the first adhesive disposed inthe space between the slot case and the first part, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a section cut view of the slot case inserted into the slot ofthe first part with a second adhesive supplied onto the slot case, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an assembly prior to inserting thesecond part into the slot case, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a section cut view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7A, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the assembly after inserting the secondpart into the slot case, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7D is a section cut view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7C, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of aircraft production and servicemethodology that may utilize methods and assemblies described herein.

FIG. 8B is a schematic illustration of an aircraft that may includemethods and assemblies described herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the presented concepts. Thepresented concepts may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well known process operations havenot been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure thedescribed concepts. While some concepts will be described in conjunctionwith the specific embodiments, it will be understood that theseembodiments are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 is a process flowchart corresponding to method 100 of attachingfirst part 200 to second part 700 using slot case 300, in accordancewith some embodiments. Method 100 may involve supplying second adhesive600 into slot case 300 provided in slot 210 of first part 200 andinserting tab 710 of second part 700 into slot case 300 containingsecond adhesive 600. Slot case 300 may be inserted into slot 210 andadhered to first part 200 in a separate process. Alternatively, method100 may also involve inserting slot case 300 into slot 210 of first part200 and supplying first adhesive 500 into space 400 between slot case300 and first part 200 thereby filling this space 400. One havingordinary skill in the art would understand various options associatedwith method 100. Various examples of operations and components used inthese operations will now be described in more detail.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of first part 200 comprising slot 210, inaccordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 2B and 2C are section cut viewsof two examples of first part 200 shown in FIG. 2A, in accordance withsome embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, first part 200 mayinclude pores 220. Some of these pores 220, which may be referred to asfirst portion 220 a, are open to slot 210. Other pores 220, which may bereferred to as second portion 220 b, are closed to slot 210. In otherwords, first portion 220 a of pores 220 is in fluid communication withslot 210, while second portion 220 b of pores 220 is not in fluidcommunication with slot 210. As such, when slot 210 is filled withadhesive (as further describes below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B)first portion 220 a of pores 220 may be filled with first adhesive 500.At the same time, second portion 220 b of pores 220 may remainsubstantially free from first adhesive 500. As such, first portion 220 aof pores 220 is a part of slot 210 and later a part of space 400 (asshown in FIG. 4), while second portion 220 b of pores 220 is isolatedfrom slow 210 and later from space 400. Second portion 220 b of pores220 may be closed pores and may be also positioned further away fromsurface of slot 210. For purposes of this disclosure, a pore is anyopening, void, or empty space that is outside of the boundary of slot210.

The volume ratio of first portion 220 a of pores 220 to second portion220 b may vary among different first parts. More specifically, thevolume of first portion 220 a of pores may vary. In other words, theremay be some part-to-part variation. This may depend on position of slot210 relative to pores 220, size and distribution or pores 220 withinfirst part 200, and other factors, which will be understood by onehaving ordinary skill in art. As such, determining the amount of firstadhesive 500 needed to fill first portion 220 a of pores 220 may not bepossible even though the remaining volume of space 400 between slot case300 and first part 200 may be known. As such, first adhesive 500 may besupplied into space 400 between slot case 300 and first part 200 untilall space including first portion 220 a of pores 220 is filled withfirst adhesive 500. At the same time, it may not be desirable to haveany excess adhesive outside of space 400 between slot case 300 and firstpart 200 especially when second part 700 is installed or beinginstalled. This excessive adhesive may be difficult to clean, forexample.

In some embodiments, first part 200 comprising pores 220 has a materialstructure selected from group consisting of a honeycomb, a foam, and thelike. The materials of first part 200 may be ceramic, plastic, metal, orany other suitable material.

In some embodiments, method 100 comprises forming first part 200 duringoptional operation 102. Operation 102 is optional because this operationmay be a part of a separate process, for example. Forming first part 200may comprise forming slot 210 in first part 200 during optionaloperation 104. For example, slot 210 may be machined or otherwise formedin first part 200. In some embodiments, forming first part 200 comprisesforming pores 220 on first part 200.

Method 100 may involve inserting slot case 300 into slot 210 of firstpart 200 during operation 110. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of slotcase 300 partially inserted into slot 210, while FIG. 4B is a sectioncut view of the same stage. Slot case 300 may be slid into slot 210. Itshould be noted that slot 210 may be free from first adhesive 500 atthis operation. First adhesive 500 may be supplied into space 400between slot case 300 and first part 200 after completing operation 110.

Various examples of slot case 300 will now be described. FIG. 3A is aperspective view of slot case 300 showing side protrusions 330 andbottom pads 320, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3B is asection cut view of slot case 300 shown in FIG. 3A, in accordance withsome embodiments. In addition to side protrusions 330 and bottom pads320, FIG. 3A also illustrates inner bottom surface 316, outer bottomsurface 314, and fill port 312. Side protrusions 330 and/or bottom pads320 may be used for orienting slot case 300 within slot 210 of firstpart 200, e.g., after completing operation 110. For example, bottom pads320 may be used to ensure sufficient space between outer bottom surface314 and slot bottom surface 212 for first adhesive 500 to flow in thatspace. Likewise, side protrusions 330 may be used to provide spacebetween side walls of slot 210 and slot case 300. While side protrusions330 are shown in FIG. 3A to extend substantially parallel to the X-Yplane, other orientations of side protrusions 330 are also within thisscope. For example, side protrusions 330 may extend substantiallyparallel to the Z axis or at some angle less than 90° or even less than45° relative to the Z axis. Regardless of the orientation of sideprotrusions 330, the is path for adhesive to flow past these protrusionsfrom bottom 310 and to top edge 340. For example, horizontal sideprotrusions 330 shown in FIG. 3A have gaps between these protrusions toallow to adhesive to flow along the Z axis. In some embodiments, sideprotrusions 330 and/or bottom pads 320 may be used to provide additionalmechanical bonding between slot 210 and slot case 300 through firstadhesive 500.

In some embodiments, slot case 300 may include alignment feature 342 as,for example, shown in FIG. 3C. Alignment feature 342 may be in a form ofa flange that protrudes into a recess on surface 230 of first part 200to determine orientation of slow case 300 with respect to first part 200during processing. Alignment feature 342 may be used instead of or inadditional to side protrusions 330 and/or bottom pads 320.

In some embodiments, method 100 also comprises forming slot case 300during optional operation 106. For example, slot case 300 may beinjection molded, machined, or formed using any other suitableoperation. Some examples of materials for slot case 300 include, but notlimited to, plastics, metals, ceramics, and the like. The material ofslot case 300 is non-porous to ensure a controlled volume within thecavity of slot case 300. The material of slot case 300 may be selectedto ensure binding to both first adhesive 500 and second adhesive 600.Specifically, addition of slot case 300 allows using different firstadhesive 500 and second adhesive 600. First adhesive 500 may be selectedto ensure binding to slot case 300 and first part 200 while ignoringbinding considerations to second part 700. Second adhesive 600 may beselected to ensure binding to slot case 300 and second part 700 whileignoring binding considerations to first part 200. This approach alsoallows indirectly binding first part 200 and second part 700 that, forexample, cannot be bound directly.

Furthermore, operation 106 may involve sizing the height of bottom pads320 during optional operation 108. In some embodiments, bottom pads 320may have a height of between about 0.5 millimeters and 10 millimetersor, more specifically, between about 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters.This height may depend on the size of bottom 310 of slot case 300 (e.g.,length and width of bottom 310), flow characteristics of first adhesive500, processing parameters while supplying first adhesive 500, and otherfactors.

In some embodiments, inserting slot case 300 into slot 210 of first part200 comprises contacting slot bottom surface 212 of slot 210 with bottompads 320 of slot case 300 during optional operation 112. Bottom pads 320protrude from outer bottom surface 314 of slot case 300 and providebottom space 400 between outer bottom surface 314 and slot bottomsurface 212 as noted above.

In some embodiments, inserting slot case 300 into slot 210 of first part200 comprises extending one or more protrusion 330 towards to a sidesurface 214 of slot 210 during optional operation 114. As noted above,one or more protrusion 330 may help to prevent slipping of slot case 300out of slot 210 and provide more mechanical support between slot case300 and first adhesive 500 when, for example, protrusion 330 surroundedby first adhesive 500. Furthermore, prior to filling first adhesive 500,protrusions may contact side surface 214 of slot 210 and have somedegree of frictional support within slot 210.

In some embodiments, first part 200 comprises decorative laminate 240prior to inserting slot case 300 into first part 200 as, for example,schematically shown in FIG. 4B. In a final assembly, decorative laminate240 is visible and its surface should be kept free from residualadhesive. Decorative laminate 240 may be easily cleaned when supplyingfirst adhesive 500 because there is still sufficient access todecorative laminate 240 at this stage of processing. At same time,decorative laminate 240 may not get contaminated by second adhesive 600since the volume of second adhesive 600 is known and this exact volumeof second adhesive 600 is supplied into slot case 300. Specifically, thevolume of second adhesive 600 supplied into slot case 300 is preciselycontrolled. When second adhesive 600 is distributed within the spacebetween slot case 300 and second part 700 (as further described belowwith reference to FIG. 7D), the amount of second adhesive 600 is notenough to generate the spills (or “squeeze-out”) onto decorativelaminate 240.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of slot case 300 fully inserted into slot210 of first part 200 while FIG. 4D is a section cut view of the samestage. These figures show surface 230 of first part aligned with topedge 340 of slot case 300. Furthermore, the figures illustrate firstportion 220 a of pores 220 being a part of space 400 while secondportion 220 b of pores 220 being isolated from space 400.

Method 100 may involve supplying first adhesive 500 into space 400between slot case 300 and first part 200 thereby filling space 400during operation 120. First adhesive 500 may be all supplied after slotcase 300 is inserted into slot 210, e.g., after operation 110 iscompleted. Alternatively, at least some of first adhesive 500 may besupplied prior to inserting slot case 300 into slot 210 of first part200, e.g., prior to operation 110. In this latter case, additional firstadhesive 500 may be supplied into space 400 after slot case 300 isinserted into slot 210 to ensure that the entire space 400 is filledwith adhesive.

FIG. 5A is a section cut view of slot case 300 inserted into slot 210 offirst part 200 with space 400 between slot case 300 and first part 200being partially filled with first adhesive 500, in accordance with someembodiments. As shown in this figure, supplying first adhesive 500 intospace 400 may comprise supplying first adhesive 500 through fill port312 in bottom 310 of slot case 300 or, more specifically, through fillport 312 in center 311 in bottom 310 of slot case 300. This type offilling ensures that the entire space 400 between slot case 300 andfirst part 200, including first portion 220 a of pores 220, is filledwith first adhesive 500. Specifically, fill port 312 may be the point onslot case that is farthest away from top edge 340 of slot case 300.

FIG. 5B is a section cut view of slot case 300 inserted into slot 210 offirst part 200 with space between slot case 300 and first part 200 beingfully filled with first adhesive 500, in accordance with someembodiments. Specifically, supplying first adhesive 500 into space 400during operation 120 may comprises forcing first adhesive 500 throughspace 400 between slot case 300 and first part 200 and to top edge 340of slot case 300. Top edge 340 of slot case 300 may coincide withsurface 230 of first part 200 as, for example, shown in FIG. 5B and FIG.5C.

In some embodiments, method 100 further comprises curing first adhesive500 during operation 126. Operation 126 may be performed prior tosupplying second adhesive 700 into slot case 300 during operation 130.For example, curing first adhesive 500 may comprise transmitting UVradiation 510 through slot case 300 as, for example, shown in FIG. 5D.Slot case 300 may be transparent to UV radiation 510. Alternatively,first adhesive 500 and second adhesive 700 may be cured at same time,e.g., heat cured.

Second adhesive 600 may be different from first adhesive 500. Someexamples of first adhesive 500 include, but not limited to, epoxies,polyurethanes, hot melts, and the like. Some examples of second adhesive600 include, but not limited to, epoxies, polyurethanes, hot melts, andthe like.

Method 100 may comprise supplying second adhesive 600 into slot case 300during operation 130. Specifically, operation 130 may comprise supplyingsecond adhesive 600 to inner bottom surface 316 of slot case 300 such asover fill port 312 of slot case 300 as, for example, shown in FIG. 6.The amount of second adhesive 600 may be set.

Method 100 may comprise inserting tab 710 of second part 700 into slotcase 300 during operation 148. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of anassembly prior to inserting the second part into the slot case, inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 7B is a section cut view of theassembly shown in FIG. 7A, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, operation 148 comprises distributing secondadhesive 600 within in space 720 between tab 710 of second part 700 andslot case 300. For example, second adhesive 600 may flow from innerbottom surface 316 of slot case 300 to top edge 340 of slot case 300reby filling entire space between tab 710 of second part 700 and slotcase 300. In some embodiments, volume of second adhesive 600 suppliedinto slot case 300 is equal to volume of space 720 between tab 710 ofsecond part 700 and slot case 300. Unlike the volume of first adhesive500, the volume of second adhesive 600 is known precisely.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of assembly 800 after inserting secondpart 700 into slot case 300, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG.7D is a section cut view of assembly 800 at this stage. Based on thedescription presented above, assembly 800 comprises first part 200, slotcase 300, and first adhesive 500. First part 200 comprises slot 210, andslot case 300 is inserted into slot 210 of first part 200. Firstadhesive 500 is disposed in space 400 between first part 200 and slotcase 300 and adheres first part 200 to slot case 300. In someembodiments, assembly 800 also comprises second part 700 comprising tab710 inserted into slot case 300. Assembly 800 may also comprise secondadhesive 600 disposed in space 720 between second part 700 and slot case300. As noted above, first adhesive 500 may be different than secondadhesive 600.

In some embodiments, first part 200 comprises pores 220. At least firstportion 220 a of pores 220 is filed with first adhesive 500. Secondportion 220 b of pores 220, which is different from first portion 220 a,may be free from with first adhesive 500. First part 200 may have amaterial structure selected from group consisting of a honeycomb, afoam, and the like. In some embodiments, substantially all of space 400between slot case 300 and first part 200 is filled with first adhesive500. Filled space 400 includes first portion 220 a of pores 220.

In some embodiments, bottom 310 of slot case 300 comprises fill port312. Fill port 312 may be disposed in center 311 of bottom 310 of slotcase 300. Slot case 300 may comprise bottom pads 320 contacting slotbottom surface 212 of slot 210. Slot case 300 may comprise a UVtransparent material. Slot case 300 may comprise one or more protrusion330 extending towards to a side surface 214 of slot 210.

Returning to FIG. 1, a set of operations 110 (i.e., inserting slot case300), 120 (i.e., supplying first adhesive 500), 130 (i.e., supplyingsecond adhesive 600), and 148 (i.e., inserting tab 710) is repeated atleast once as shown by decision block 150. The volume of first adhesive500 varies between different sets of these operations. At same time, thevolume of second adhesive 600 remains constant in all sets ofoperations.

Examples of Aircraft and Methods of Fabricating and Operating Aircraft

Examples of the present disclosure may be described in the context ofaircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 as shown in FIG. 7 andaircraft 1102 as shown in FIG. 8. During pre-production, illustrativemethod 1100 may include specification and design (block 1104) ofaircraft 1102 and material procurement (block 1106). During production,component and subassembly manufacturing (block 1108) and inspectionsystem integration (block 1110) of aircraft 1102 may take place.Described methods and assemblies formed by these methods and includingslot cases can be used in any of specification and design (block 1104)of aircraft 1102, material procurement (block 1106), component andsubassembly manufacturing (block 1108), and/or inspection systemintegration (block 1110) of aircraft 1102.

Thereafter, aircraft 1102 may go through certification and delivery(block 1112) to be placed in service (block 1114). While in service,aircraft 1102 may be scheduled for routine maintenance and service(block 1116). Routine maintenance and service may include modification,reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one or more inspection systemsof aircraft 1102. Described methods and assemblies formed by thesemethods and including slot cases can be used in any of certification anddelivery (block 1112), service (block 1114), and/or routine maintenanceand service (block 1116).

Each of the processes of illustrative method 1100 may be performed orcarried out by an inspection system integrator, a third party, and/or anoperator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, aninspection system integrator may include, without limitation, any numberof aircraft manufacturers and major-inspection system subcontractors; athird party may include, without limitation, any number of vendors,subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline,leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 8, aircraft 1102 produced by illustrative method 1100may include airframe 1118 with a plurality of high-level inspectionsystems 1120 and interior 1122. Examples of high-level inspectionsystems 1120 include one or more of propulsion inspection system 1124,electrical inspection system 1126, hydraulic inspection system 1128, andenvironmental inspection system 1130. Any number of other inspectionsystems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, theprinciples disclosed herein may be applied to other industries, such asthe automotive industry. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft 1102, theprinciples disclosed herein may apply to other vehicles, e.g., landvehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc.

Apparatus(es) and method(s) shown or described herein may be employedduring any one or more of the stages of manufacturing and service method(illustrative method 1100). For example, components or subassembliescorresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing (block 1108)may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while aircraft 1102 is in service (block 1114).Also, one or more examples of the apparatus(es), method(s), orcombination thereof may be utilized during production stages (block1108) and (block 1110), for example, by substantially expeditingassembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft 1102. Similarly, one ormore examples of the apparatus or method realizations, or a combinationthereof, may be utilized, for example and without limitation, whileaircraft 1102 is in service (block 1114) and/or during maintenance andservice (block 1116).

CONCLUSION

Different examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed hereininclude a variety of components, features, and functionalities. Itshould be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) andmethod(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features,and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es)and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination, and all of suchpossibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not tobe limited to the specific examples illustrated and that modificationsand other examples are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in thecontext of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/orfunctions, it should be appreciated that different combinations ofelements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementationswithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,parenthetical reference numerals in the appended claims are presentedfor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter to the specific examples provided in thepresent disclosure.

1. An assembly comprising: a first part, comprising a slot and a firstpore fluidically connected to the slot; a slot case, inserted into theslot of the first part; and a first adhesive, disposed in a spacebetween the first part and the slot case and adhering the first part tothe slot case.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a secondpart, comprising a tab inserted into the slot cases; and a secondadhesive, disposed in a space between the second part and the slot case.3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first adhesive is different thanthe second adhesive.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least afirst portion of the first pore is filed with the first adhesive.
 5. Theassembly of claim 4, wherein a second portion of the first pore is freeof the first adhesive.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstpart is a material structure selected from the group consisting of ahoneycomb and a foam.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the first partis a honeycomb structure, and wherein the first pore is a cell of thehoneycomb.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a bottom of the slot casecomprises a fill port.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the fill portis disposed in a center of the bottom of the slot case.
 10. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the slot case comprises a case bottom and a bottompad protruding from the case bottom and contacting a slot bottom surfaceof the slot to space the case bottom from a slot bottom portion of theslot.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot case comprises a UVtransparent material.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot casecomprises a first side protrusion extending towards a first side surfaceof the slot.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first sideprotrusion contacts the first side surface of the slot.
 14. The assemblyof claim 12, wherein the slot case further comprises a second sideprotrusion extending towards a second side surface of the slot differentfrom the first side surface.
 15. The assembly of claim 1, whereinsubstantially all of the space between the slot case and the slot andthe first pore is filled with the first adhesive.
 16. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the slot case comprises an alignment feature configuredto orient the slot case in a first position relative to the first part.17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the alignment feature comprises aflange extending from a top edge of the slot case.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first part further comprises a second porefluidically disconnected from the slot.
 19. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the slot is a rectangular parallelepiped slot.
 20. The assemblyof claim 19, wherein the pore is separate from the rectangularparallelepiped slot.